Geospatial Analysis of Crop Residue Burn Areas and Their Dates for Emission Mitigation Strategies

Pranay Panjala, Murali Krishna Gumma, Shashi Mesapam, Anoop Kumar Shukla () and Gloria Pignatta ()
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Pranay Panjala: International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru 502324, India
Murali Krishna Gumma: International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru 502324, India
Shashi Mesapam: National Institute of Technology—Warangal (NITW), Warangal 506004, India
Anoop Kumar Shukla: Manipal School of Architecture and Planning, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India
Gloria Pignatta: School of Built Environment, Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 6, 1-19

Abstract: Mitigating the environmental impact of agricultural practices, particularly intensive rice farming, is critical in the face of climate change. This study focuses on mapping rice residue burn areas and their dates while estimating the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with residue burning and rice cultivation. By using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, machine learning algorithms, and ground truth data, we analyzed changes in rice cultivation patterns before and after the Kaleshwaram intervention. The Near-Infrared Region (NIR) band was instrumental in accurately identifying residue burn areas and pinpointing burn dates, enabling timely alerts for decision-makers to act. Detailed quantifications of CO 2 , CH 4 , and N 2 O emissions from crop residue burning, alongside methane emissions from rice cultivation, highlight the significant contribution of these practices to overall GHG emissions. Key findings reveal a significant 82.1% increase in rice cultivation area from 2018–2019 to 2022–2023, accompanied by a worrying rise in residue burning, with some regions experiencing up to a 276% increase in burn areas. This research not only reveals the dual challenges of residue burning and GHG emissions but also emphasizes the importance of integrating precise burn date monitoring with emission data. The findings provide a strong foundation for implementing sustainable crop residue management strategies and developing informed policies to mitigate the adverse environmental effects of rice farming.

Keywords: residue burning; emissions; date of burn; GHG; rice areas; remote sensing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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